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Yule-Tide 

A Practical Community (Christmas Masque 
on Traditional Lines 

IN ONE ACT 


By 

C. ARTHUR COAN 

Author of The History of An Appearance, 
The Fragrant Note Book, Etc. 

Caution: Amateurs and professionals are hereby 
warned that “SOUTHUMBERLAND’S YULE-TIDE/’ 
being fully protected under the copyright laws of the 
United States, is subject to royalty, and anyone pre¬ 
senting the play without consent of the author or his 
authorized agent will be liable to the penalties by law 
provided. Application for the right to produce 
“SOUTHUMBERLAND’S , YULE-TIDE” must be 
made to the author at Nyack, New Yorkj or to Samuel 
French, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City. 

Copyright 1920, by Samuel French. 

All Rights Reserved. 

PRICE SO CENTS. 

New York : London : 

SAMUEL FRENCH SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. 
Publisher 26 Southampton Street, 

28-30 West 38th Street Strand 


buthumberland’s 













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Southumberland’s 

Yule-Tide 

A Practical Community Christmas Masque 
on Traditional Lines 

IN ONE ACT 


C$^RTHUR CO AN 


Author of The History of An Appearance, 
The Fragrant Note Book, Etc. 


Caution : Amateurs and professionals are hereby 
warned that “SOUTHUMBERLAND’S YULE-TIDE,” 
being fully protected under the copyright laws of the 
United States, is subject to royalty, and anyone pre¬ 
senting the play without consent of the author or his 
authorized agent will be liable to the penalties by law 
provided. Application for the right to produce 
“SOUTHUMBERLAND’S YULE-TIDE” must be 
made to the author at Nyack, New York, or to Samuel 
French, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City. 


Copyright 1920, by Samuel French. 
All Rights Reserved. 


PRICE 50 CENTS. 

New York; ' London: 

SAMUEL FRENCH SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. 
Publisher 26 Southampton Street, 

28-30 West 38th Street Strand 



OCT -2 1320 


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Southumberland’s Yule-Tide 

A Practical Community Christmas Masque 
on Traditional Lines 


By 

C. ARTHUR COAN 


The Scheme of the Play. The scheme of the 
play is broader in intention than a mere stage set¬ 
ting of the traditional Mummers, Yule-clog and 
carolling, the real purpose being to create a Christ¬ 
mas festival in which the community shall take an 
active, rather than a passive part. It would seldom 
be found possible to drill and rehearse an entire 
community, or any considerable portion of a com¬ 
munity, in any spectacle which required practice, 
and the plan as devised calls upon the public for 
nothing except that the individuals (other than the 
speaking parts and leaders and musicians) be prop¬ 
erly costumed and agree to follow the verbal in¬ 
structions of the group leaders, given from moment 
to moment during the performance. 

By the careful choosing of group leaders some 
weeks beforehand, the creation of the groups 
through the active solicitation of the leaders (under 
the direction of the producing staff) will proceed 
independently of the rehearsing of the play proper. 
Group leaders will require one or two rehearsals. 




4 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


simply to comprehend the nature of their duties, 
and, in a few instances, to master the lines of dia¬ 
logue incident to their parts. If these leaders are 
energetic and tactful, the groups, with such assist¬ 
ance as can be given by the producing committee, 
can be formed and ready for the question of cos¬ 
tumes a considerable time before the holidays. 

The plot, the dialogue, the scheme for bringing 
in the general community as participants are, of 
course, an original framework, into which are 
woven the ancient carols, which should unquestion¬ 
ably be sung to their traditional music. The inci¬ 
dents are all such as would have occurred at the 
time, and several of the short stanzas used as por¬ 
tions of the dialogue are taken from the well-known 
sources of the period, including Shakespeare and, 
more anciently, Herrick, Wither, etc. 


STAGE PLAYERS OR PRINCIPALS 


Duke of Southumberland. Host 

Duchess of Southumberland. Hostess 

Lord Harold, a Noble, but a decent fellow. .. .Son 
Lady Evelyn-. Daughter 


John, Lord DeCourcey, a Guest, in love with 
Lady Evelyn 

Sir Henry Boldman, Knight, 

A poor relation to the Duke 

Lord of Misrule. Traditional 

Old Eather Christmas, St. George, the 
Turk, the Dragon, the Doctor, the Ne¬ 
cromancer, etc. Mummers 

William, the Castle Steward. .Leading the Boar's 

Head Procession 

David, Leader of the Waits. Leader 








Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


5 


The Three Blind Mice Party 


Blondel, Leader of the Minstrels. Leader 

White Mouse 
Grey Mouse 
Brown Mouse 
Farmer’s Wife^ 

Simple Simon (a Ventriloquist, if 

possible). Punch and Judy 

Autolycus .. Pedlar 


Norman, a persistent nuisance of noble birth. 
Herald 


Ladies-in-Waiting 

Trumpeter 


Morris Dancers 


Jester with Two Dromios 
Pages to Misrule, Etc. 

Four Men-at-Arms, also two small pages to the 
Duchess, Waits, Minstrels, Singing Girls, Jesters, 
Guests, Attendants etc. (Traditionally the music 
of these revels was by male voices only. If 
female voices be desired, they can be placed as 
Singing Girls, or taken by selection from the 
Dairy Maids, etc., whose place will be on the 
floor.) 


GROUPS OF AUDIENCE PLAYERS 
Secondary Principals 


Role. In Charge of 

Sir Henry Boldman, a Principal, but in 

charge of..... Yeomen 

Alfred Crook, Chief Shepherd. Shepherds 

Dame Crook. Shepherdesses 

Old Hollyman. Foresters 

Robert Wildwood. Huntsmen 











6 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


Majordomo, Steward . Male Attendants 

Constance Talker, Housekeeper, 

Female Attendants 

MATTi E Weaver.^ pinn ers 

David .^ 

Blondel. Minstrels 

Noah Waters . Dairymen 

Good Wife Murdock . Dairymaids 

Whyhard Work. .. .Tenant Farmers 

Love Work . Tenant Families 

Will Arm strong . Blacksmiths 

Nicholas Moneypenny, Master, 

Goldsmiths’ Guild 

Weavers, Needlewomen, Lacemakers, Etc. 

Other Groups, Guilds, etc., may be formed ad 
libitum. 


ALL IN ONE ACT AND SCENE 

Time. Two hundred and fifty years ago. 

Scene. The Great Hall of the Castle of South- 
umberland. 

The stage is set as the dais of the Great Hall. 
Huge Fireplace at the back, fitted with electric 
lights so arranged that, with the use of dimmers 
or other means, paper flames may be illuminated 
and grow brighter after the Yule-clog is laid in 
place. A practical door, studded with nails at the 
rear of the dais. Settles, a small table, a large table 
on horses ready for the feast, three chairs of state, 
round stools, etc. 

The main entrance of the auditorium is decorated 
in the semblance of the doorway of the Great Hall. 
If other doors giving on the auditorium are avail- 











Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


7 


able they, likewise, should be suitably decorated 
and kept free for the entrance of various parties 
as indicated. 

Pennons or standards are placed at various points 
.on the main floor to indicate the assembling bases 
for the groups as set forth, or may be borne in by 
the leader. 

If a gallery exists, it should be separately ap¬ 
proached if possible, and set aside for those spec¬ 
tators who cannot or will not enter into the com¬ 
munity spirit by costuming as prescribed. 

The middle space of the auditorium floor should 
be kept free of chairs, such seats as are imperatively 
required being placed around the walls, and a space, 
free even from indicative standards, should be left 
in the front-center for the Waits and Minstrels 
after they enter. Simon’s Cabinet is near the center 
of the floor. 

The stage, being in fact the dais of the Great 
Hall, should be treated as part of the whole with 
the curtain up before the doors are opened. 

Costumes. Traditional Characters: The cos¬ 
tumes of the Traditional Characters, such as St. 
George and the Dragon, the Doctor and the other 
mummers are the traditional ones for these parts, 
as set forth in authentic works on the subject. In 
the appendix will be found an outline of these cos¬ 
tumes as compiled from the best sources. 

Period Characters, such as the Duke, the 
Duchess, the Herald, pages, attendants, guests, etc., 
will be of the period of the play. Outlines for these 
also will be found in the appendix. 

Appendix. Such matters as Punch and Judy, 
where the conduct of a traditional feature is en¬ 
tirely under the control of a single individual, have 
not been expanded in the text. A further explan¬ 
ation, however, will be found in the appendix or 
footnotes. 


8 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


Authorities. It would be a hopeless task to at¬ 
tempt to list all of the authorities which have been 
consulted in the construction of this play. A few, 
however, may be mentioned as suggestive. “Poor 
Robin’s Almanak” (1684), Herrick, Suckling, 
“Record of Oxford,” Stowe, Hawkin’s “History of 
Music,” Bourne’s “Popular Antiquities,” “Ceremo¬ 
nies et Coutumes Religieuses de tons les peoples,” 
Picart (1723), “Fete des Fous” (du Tilliot), “The 
Holidays” (N. B. Warren), and, of course. Cham¬ 
ber’s “Book of Days”; other sources too numerous 
to mention. 

Music. By tradition, the Waits are male voices 
only. If it be desired to add the distaff side, a 
number of good voices can be selected from the 
spinners, the dairymaids, etc., and drilled for their 
parts. The carols should be sung to their tradi¬ 
tional music, of course, and the effects can be 
greatly enhanced by the use of incidental music 
during the various movements. If a piano must be 
relied upon, it should be inconspicuously placed, 
and the pianist costumed as a Lady-in-Waiting to 
the Duchess, playing the harpsichord. 

If a street pageant precedes the community play 
in the auditorium, then, on its approach to the great 
entrance, a Herald appears at the door and sounds 
a fanfare, whereupon the Man-at-arms in charge of 
the door opens it and the people flock in, each 
group being announced by the Majordomo. If no 
street pageant precedes the play, the Herald’s horn 
sounds at the appointed hour. Waits remain with¬ 
out. 


Nota Bene: It will be necessary to give considerable attention 
to the dramatic effects to be producd by the movement from place 
to place of the various groups of Yeomen, Foresters, etc., but 
these will depend so largely upon the numbers involved and the 
nature of the auditorium, that no definite program can be set 
out which would fit all of the cases. It must, however, be clear 
that it will not do to have the groups remain forever stationary 
during the entire play. 



Southumberland's Yule-Tide 9 

Given a suitable amount of time for the march¬ 
ers to find their groups under the standards and 
for the moderns not costumed to settle themselves 
in the gallery (or the roped-off rear of the floor, if 
no gallery be available), the Herald (accompanied 
by a Trumpeter) enters and proceeds to the dais. 
Trumpeter sounds three blasts commanding silence, 
and Herald reads: 

THE PROCLAMATION OF HIS GRACE THE 
DUKE 

Herald: To all of our loyal and godly folk of 
Southumberland. Greeting! 

Now, as Yuletide approaches, when the souls of 
men turn to fellow men through Him who was 
born in Bethlehem, we bid you, high and low alike, 
to the Great Hall of our Castle of Southumber¬ 
land on the Eve of Christmas, there to set aside 
other and temporal things and to join with us, your 
rightful Duke and our Lord of Misrule, fittingly to 
celebrate the great Nativity in the forms and after 
the manner by our forefathers beloved from time 
immemorial. 

We, therefore, as the custom is, do now an^ 
hereby abdicate for the time being our sway in 
favor of our Lord of Misrule, whose commands, as 
the custom runs, should be obeyed during the revels. 

Welcome, you whose faces are familiar and en¬ 
deared to us. Welcome, thrice welcome, strangers 
within our gates. The revels are your own. Obey 
the Lord of Misrule. 

(Signed) Southumberland. 

{Retires.') 

Old Hollyman (from his place with his group) : 
Long live our noble Duke, say I, and more, say I, 
God save the King. 


10 Southumberland's Yule-Tide 

(Shouts of '‘God save the King” from the group 
leaders.) 

All, standing, sing, led by the group leaders: 

God save our gracious King, 

Long live our noble King, 

God save the King. 

Send him victorious. 

Happy and glorious. 

Long to reign over us, 

God save the King. 

Crook (from his place, but turning toward the 
rear of the audience, where Simon stands) : Friends 
all and neighbors an’ I mistake not, yon (pointing 
at Simon) I see Simple Simon, the Punch and 
Judy man, with his box of dolls. Up, Simon. 
(Simon starts toward his closet which is set up, 
facing the audience, near the dais.) Up, man, and 
whilst we tarry for our Lords of Rule and Misrule, 
entertain ♦ the company with thy foolish show; 
though dear knows, Punch and Judy b’ain’t no 
foolisher, Simon, than what thou be. 

Simon (halting and turning toward the Chief 
Shepherd) : Nor yet, Punch and Judy b’aint no 
foolisher than thou and thy silly flocks. Shepherd. 

Waters: Right, lad, nor foolisher than none of 
us. 

(Simon continues toward his closet.) 

Majordomo (raising his hand) : Gently, all. 
Softly does it. ’Tis Christmas Eve and we come 
to celebrate with Peace on Earth, Good Will to¬ 
wards men. Let nothing hap amiss. 

(Simon continues on his way, enters his closet 
and begins the show of Punch and Judy, The 
show, however, must not be continued at length, 
but brought to a climax after embodying briefly 
the traditional characters and plot of Punch and 
Judy, the Baby, the Evil One, etc., with the custom- 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


11 


ary, and preferably ventriloquist, dialogue. (See 
further explanation, if necessary, in footnotes.*) 
During the performance the Page curls disrespect¬ 
fully up in one of the -state chairs, moves amongst 
the groups, tormenting them with a feather, tickling 
the backs of their necks, etc. Two Men-at-arms 
strut up to the small table near a side entrance (if 
there be one; otherwise, arrange accordingly). On 
the table, draughtsmen are set up and they com¬ 
mence playing, finding themselves quickly the prey 
of the Page and his long feather. Punch and Judy 
being finished, heavy pounding is heard at the door 
by which the Men-at-Arms are sitting, and singing 
is heard without. Springing to their feet, one of 
the Men-at-Arms overturns the draughtsmen and 
stoops to pick them up while the other opens the 
door. Enter the Waits, singing, “God Rest Ye 
Merry, Gentlemen,” accompanied by the Minstrels. 
They group in the front of the Hall, near the dais. 

GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMENf 
(Traditional) 

God rest ye merry, gentlemen. 

Let nothing you dismay, 

Remember, Christ our Saviour 
Was born on Christmas Day, 

To save us all from Satan’s power 
When we were gone astray. 

Chorus 

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. 

Comfort and joy. 

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, 

Comfort and joy. 

♦Simon will probably prefer his own version of the regular 
Punch and Judy dialogue. If f not one may be obtained from 
nearly any dramatic publication house, such as could be used 
in shortened form. 

fSee appendix note on music. 



Southumberland's Yule-Tide 

In Bethlehem, in Jewry, 

This blessed Babe was born, 

And laid within a manger. 

Upon this blessed morn; 

The which His Mother Mary 
Did nothing take in scorn. 

Oh, tidings, etc. 

From God, our Heavenly Father, 

A blessed Angel came 

And unto certain shepherds 
Brought tidings of the same: 

How that in Bethlehem was born 
The Son of God by Name. 

Oh, tidings, etc. 

“Fear not then,’' said the Angel. 
“Let nothing you affright. 

This day is born a Saviour 
Of a pure Virgin bright. 

To free all those who trust in Him 
From Satan’s power and might.” 

Oh, tidings, etc. 

The shepherds at those tidings 
Rejoiced much in mind 

And left their flocks a-feeding 
In tempest, storm and wind; 

And went to Bethlehem straightway. 
The Son of God to find. 

Oh, tidings, etc. 

And when they came to Bethlehem, 
Where our dear Saviour lay. 

They found Him in a manger 
Where oxen feed on hay; 

His Mother Mary kneeling down. 
Unto the Lord ciid pray. 

Oh, tidings, etc. 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 13 

Now to the Lord sing praises, 

All you within this place, 

And with true love and brotherhood 
Each other now embrace; 

This holy tide of Christmas 
All other doth efface. 

Oh, tidings, etc. 

Sir Henry Boldman (rising, if seated, and look¬ 
ing toward the Page, wherever his mischief may 
have carried him, but who must at the cue be in 
sight in a given place) : Young Norman. Young 
Norman. A truce now to thy torments. Demean 
thyself right seemly now, young scamp (Norman 
stands upright, looks the Knight in the eye, and 
takes on an unexpected dignity), and bear to our 
gracious Duke and Duchess, and to our Lord of 
Misrule, word from Sir Henry Boldman, Knight 
and their loyal vassal and cousin, that, by virtue of 
the general Proclamation here read and heralded, 
this being Christmas Eve, the company thus bidden 
is now assembled in the Great Hall and waits upon 
them to pay its due obedience. 

(Page goes on his errands and Sir Henry turns 
to the leader of the Waits.) 

Sir H. : And thou, David, the while we wait upon 
Southumberland’s Lords, shall pass the time for us 
with music. 

David : 

What sweeter musick can we bring 

Than a carol, for to sing 

The birth of this our Heavenly King? 

Awake the voice! Awake the String! 

Heart, Eare and Eye, and everything. 
Awake! 


{Herrick, 1620.) 


14 Southumberland's Yule-Tide 

(Accompanied by the Minstrels, the Waits then 
sing, all who can joining.) 

THE FIRST NOEL* 

(Traditional) 

The first Nowell the angel did say 
Was to certain poor shepherds in the fields as they 
lay, 

In the fields where they lay keeping their sheep. 

On a cold winter’s night that was so deep. 

Chorus 

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, 

Born is the King of Israel. 

They looked up and saw a Star, 

Shining in the East, beyond them far. 

And to the earth it gave great light. 

And so it continued both day and night. 

Nowell, etc. 

And by the light of that same star, 

Three Wisemen came from country far; 

To seek for a King was their intent. 

And to follow the Star wherever it went. 

Nowell, etc. 

This Star drew nigh to the Northwest, 

O’er Bethlehem it took its rest. 

And there it did both stop and stay. 

Right over the place where Jesus lay. 

Nowell, etc. 


See appendix note on music. 



Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


15 


Then entered in those Wisemen three, 

Full reverently upon their knee, 

And offered there, in His Presence, 

Their gold, and Myrrh and frankincense. 

Nowell, etc. 

Then let us all with one accord. 

Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord, 

That hath made Heaven and earth of nought. 
And with His Blood mankind hath bought. 

Nowell, etc. 

(While the carol is being finished the Duke and 
Duchess, Young Lord Harold, Lady Evelyn, Lord 
De Courcey, their guests and attendants enter the 
dais from the door at the back. Business of settling 
down, the Duke and Duchess taking the State 
Chairs and the rest on stools and settles. Lord De 
Courcey makes love to the Lady Evelyn, and the 
others, except the Duke and Duchess, who converse 
together, engage in brief amusements as cat’s- 
cradle, etc., while the pernicious Page finds mul¬ 
tiple victims for his torments.) 

As they come into view— 

Old Hollyman : Southumberlands, Friends and 
Strangers. Again I say, “Long Live our Noble 
Duke and His Duchess.’' 

All: Here. Here. Here. 

(Led by the group leaders, all make obeisance. 
The men bow, awkwardly, while the women cour¬ 
tesy. The outdoor men pull their forelocks. The 
Duke and Duchess smile and nod, without rising.) 

The stage pantomime of amusements, converse 
and love-making, interrupted by the torments of 
the unspeakable Page, continue briefly and are in¬ 
terrupted by tramp of feet and noises at the main 
door. 


16 


SOUTHUMBERLANDY’S YULE-TiDE 


Man-at-Arms (at the great door) : Room, room, 
I say, for the most potent Lord of Misrule. 

(Incidental music, during which enter the Lord 
of Misrule, borne in his Chair of State up the main 
aisle. All the groups on the floor make obeisance. 
Lord of Misrule smiles and nods carelessly to right 
and left as he is carried toward the dais, his Jester 
backing, bowing and scraping before him and his 
pages holding the fringe of his cloak. Arrived at 
the dais, the Chair is set down with the Lord of 
Misrule facing the audience.) 

Lord of M. : 

Saint Francis and Saint Benedight, 

Blesse this house from wicked wight. 

From the night-mare and the goblin 
That is hight (named) Good Fellow Robin. 
Keep it from all evil spirits. 

Fairies, weezels, rats and ferrets. 

From this evening’s curfew time 
To the morrow’s early “prime.” 

( Cartwright — ancient .) 

Young Lord Harold (stepping forward on 
dais) : Hail! Hail! To the Lord of Misrule. 

Lord of M. : Hail us no hails, Merry Lord. We 
misrule for a day and then, like your hail, pass 
quickly away. Salute, however, our sacred left 
hand. (Harold kisses hand.) Now let joy be un¬ 
confined. 

De Courcey (approaching Misrule and making 
his obeisance) : Honor and happiness to the Lord 
of Misrule. May thy short reign be a fiery one. 

Lord of M. : Well spoke. My Lor diet. Fiery 
would we have it; and where, then, is our Yule- 
clog to make it fiery ? 

Majordomo (as noise of the approach of the 
Foresters is heard without) : The Yule-clog, lads. 
Bring in the Yule-clog. 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


17 


Lord of M. : 

Come, bring with a noise, 

My merrie, merrie boys. 

The Christmas clog to the firing; 

While our good Dame, she 
Bids you all be free. 

And drink to your hearts’ desiring. 

(Yule party, consisting of Foresters, five or six 
of which have been rehearsed for the purpose, en¬ 
ter at the great door bearing the Yule-clog, another 
bears the brand from the previous year, carefully 
preserved to fire the new wood, others holly and 
mistletoe, another the Yule candle. They proceed 
up the main aisle to the fireplace. Waits sing 
“Welcome, Yule. ’) 


WELCOME, YULE* 

Welcome be thou Heavenly King, 
Welcome, born on this morning. 
Welcome to Whom we shall sing. 
Welcome, Yule. 


Welcome be ye, Stephen and John,t 
Welcome Innocents, every one. 

Welcome Thomas Martyr, one. 

Welcome, Yule. 

*The words of this carol are traditional and date from the 
time of Henry VI. It may be found in the Sloan Manuscript 

collection and is referred to in THE BOOK OF DAYS as in 

use for the Yule-Clog procession. Nowhere, however, can any 
traditional musical setting be found, and it has, therefore, been set 

to music by the author of the book of the masque, in form 

befitting the other traditional carols. See appendix note on music. 

fit will be remembered with interest that the saints mentioned 
in the old carols “Welcome Yule” and “Good King Wenseslaus” 
are those whose name-days occur in the holiday period: Thomas 
(December 21st); Stephen (December 26th); John, (December 
27th); Innocents (December 28th); Twelfth Day (January 6th); 
Agnes (January 21st) and Candlemas or Purification (February 
2nd). 



18 


South uMBERLAND^s Yule-Tide 


Welcome be ye, good New Yeare, 

Welcome Twelfth Day, both in fere, 
Welcome Saints, loved and deare. 

Welcome, Yule. 

Welcome be ye, Candlemas, 

Welcome be ye, Queen of Bliss, 

Welcome both to more or less. 

Welcome, Yule. 

Welcome be ye that are here. 

Welcome all and make good cheer. 

Welcome all another yeare. 

Welcome, Yule. 

(The Yule party having laid the fire, stand 
aside.) 

Lord of M. : Now bring the brand from last 
year’s Yule and start the flames a-roaring, while 
through the chimbley, broad and wide, the smoke 
goes, up a-pouring. 

(They start the fire and foresters then exeunt 
to the floor of the auditorium, joining the others 
of their group.) 

(On the dais, business of amusements, love- 
making, etc., as before.) 

Morris Dancers. Dance a Morris if there is 
to be one. 

(Knocking at door.) 

Man-at-Arms (at the door) : Ho, my masters. 
Shall we let in the Pedlar to the revels? 

All : Yes. Yes. 

Lord of M. : Bring in the Pedlar. Let him come. 

(Enter the Pedlar, pack on his shoulder. As he 
comes up the aisle he has samples of his goods in 
his hands and on his arms. These he shows teas- 
ingly to those who are near him on the floor, but 
refuses to stop until the dais is reached, where he 
approaches the Duchess, the guests, etc.) 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 19 

During this passage, which should not be a hur¬ 
ried one up the aisle, while he flaunts his wares 
at the audience, he sings the song of the pedlar 
from “Winter’s Tale.” . 

Autolycus. (Speaks) : 

Come, buy of me, come. Come buy, come buy; 

Buy, lads, or else your lassies cry; 

Come, buy. 

(Continues, singing.) * 

Will you buy any tape 
Or lace for your cape. 

My dainty duck, my dear-a; 

Any silk, any thread. 

Any toys for your head. 

Of the new’st and fin’st, fin’st wear-a? 

Come to the pedlar; 

Money’s a medler. 

That doth utter all men’s ware-a. 

Waits. (Singing repetition of so much as 
seems best of the song. At its finish, while the 
pedlar still shows his wares to the people on the 
dais, an attendant approaches with dignity up the 
main aisle and stops midway to the dais, bowing to 
the Lord of Misrule. Being recognized.) 

Attendant: Sire, King Aper approaches. 

All: The Boar’s head. The Boar’s head. 

Lord of M. : Most Noble Boar, we welcome thee. 
Approach. 

(Enter the Boar’s Head Party, Huntsmen, Stew¬ 
ard carrying the Boar’s Head. Attendants carry¬ 
ing a lighted candle on each side, while other's 
carry various articles such as a flaming pudding, 
carvers, condiments, etc., along with the peacock, 
appearing through the crust of a pie, etc.) 

Chief Steward sings the Boar’s Head Song.* 


^See appendix note on music. 



20 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


Steward : 

The Boar’s Head in hand bear I, 
Bedecked with bays and rosemary, 

And I pray you, my masters, be merry. 
Quot estis in convivio. 


All: 

Caput apri defero 
Reddens laudes Domino. 

Steward : 

The Boar’s Head, as I understand, 

N Is the rarest dish in all this land. 

Which thus bedecked with a gay garland, 

Let us servire cantico. 

All: 

Caput apri defero 
Reddens laudes Domino. 

Steward : 

Our Steward hath provided this 
In honor of the King of Bliss, 

Which on this day to be served is 
In Reginensi Atrio. 

All: 

Caput apri defero 
Reddens laudes Domino. 

(N. B. Traditionally, the English lines should 
be sung by the Steward, the Latin lines coming in 
as a chorus.) 

(Arrived at the dais, the party ascend, place the 
Boar’s Head on the table after presenting it with 
great formality for the inspection of the Lord of 
Misrule, the Duchess, the Duke, etc. After the 
various dishes are inspected and placed and the 
company of notables gather round to eat, plates of 
cakes and tankards should be passed to the audi¬ 
ence if practicable. The Pedlar and the Page con¬ 
tinue their respective business. Before himself 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide . 


21 


drawing up to the board the Duke, turning to the 
company, recites a portion of Wither’s “Christmas 
Carol (1661). The following would be sufficient) : 
The Duke: 

Lo, now is come our joyfuhst feast; 

Let every man be j oily; 

Eache roome with yvie leaves is drest. 

And every post with holly. 

Then wherefore in these merry days 
Should we, I pray, be du.lle? 

No, let us sing our roundelays 
To make our mirth more fulle; 

And whilest thus inspired we sing. 

Let all the streets with echos ring. 

Woods and hills and everything 
Bear witness we are merry. 

(Retires.) 

(As he finishes, amidst cries of, “Yes, we’ll merry 
be,” the Minstrels strike up a Minuet which is per¬ 
formed on the dais by the castle party, after which 
loud pounding is heard without the door by which 
the Waits and Minstrels previously entered. Man¬ 
at-Arms opens the door.) 

Knocking. (Mummers enter.) 

Lord of M. : Now, by our patron Saint, brave 
George, here are the Mummers ready at hand. Old 
Father Christmas, here is a goodly company before 
which to guise your “Guising,” never fearing for 
applause. 

(They advance for their play.) 

Old Father Christmas : 

Here come I, Old Father Christmas, Christmas or 
not, 

I hope Old Father Christmas will ne’er be forgot. 
Room, make room here, gallant boys, and give us 
room to rhyme. 

We come to show activity upon a Christmas time. 


22 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


Acting youth and acting age, 

The like was never acted on a stage; 

An’ you believe not what I say (turning), 
Enter, St. George, and clear the way. 

(They approach the dais, St. George leading. 
Having arrived at, or on, the dais, St. George 
speaks) : 

St. George: 

Here come I, St. George, the valiant man. 

With naked sword and spear in hand. 

Who fought this Dragon and brought him to 
slaughter, 

And for this won the King of Egypt’s daughter. 
What man or mortal will dare to stand 
Before me with my sword in hand; 

I’ll slay him and cut him as small as flies. 

And send him to Jamaica to make mince pies. 

The Turk: 

Here come i, a Turkish knight; 

In Turkish land I learned to fight. 

I’ll fight St. George with courage bold. 

An’ his blood’s hot, will make it cold. 

St. George: 

If thou art a Turkish knight, 

Draw thy sword and let us fight. 

(They fight at some length. At last the Turk 
falls. St. George looks down at his enemy.) 

St. George: 

Now see you all what I have done. 

I’ve cut this Turk down like the evening sun. 

Is there any doctor can be found 
To cure this knight his deadly wound? 

Doctor : 

Here come I, a doctor; 

A ten-pound doctor. 

I’ve a phial in my pocket 

Called Hokum, Shokum and Alicampane; 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


23 


ril touch his eyes, nose, mouth and chin (does so)^ 
Say, “Rise, dead man,” and he’ll fight again. 

(Doctor leans over his patient, administers his 
remedies, rolls the patient over, opens his mouth, 
etc. Turk groans, opens his eyes and finally gets 
up.) 

St. George: 

Here am I, St. George, with shining armor bright; 
I am a famous champion, also a worthy knight. 
Seven long years in a close cave I was kept. 

And out of that into a prison leapt. 

From out of that, into a rock of stones. 

And there I laid down my grievous bones. 

Many a giant did I subdue, and ran this fiery 
dragon through. 

I fought the man of Tillotree, and still will gain 
the victoree. 

First then, I fought in France; secondly I fought 
in Spain; 

Thirdly I came to Tenby, to fight the Turk again. 

('Again they fight. Again the Turk is van¬ 
quished and falls.) 

St. George: 

Again you see the Turk is downed. 

Again the doctor must be found. 

Doctor, interpolates: 

Here I come to raise the Turk. 

Watch the doctor at his work. 

(Performs the miracle as before. Before, how¬ 
ever, the Turk regains consciousness, amidst his 
groans, he talks gibberish and then remains silent 
on the ground.) 

Doctor, interpolates: 

This Turk in Turkish now hath dreams; 

Yon Necromancer could, it seems. 

Interpret us what this man thinks 
In something less than forty winks. 


24 Southumberland's Yule-Tide 

Necromancer (approaching and leaning over 
the Turk in a listening attitude), interpolates: 

No language is to us unknown. 

The dream is clear, and shall be shown. 

The Turk doth future times foresee— 

A day when our St. George shall be 

The leader of a brave crusade 

Which hard shall press, with friendly aid. 

The Turk from lands he hath betrayed. 

St. George shall enter Bethlehem, 

And all his knights in battered mail 
Perceive anew their long lost Grail 
In sacred old Jerusalem. 

Lord' . OF M.: Marvelous wonder. What times 
those would be. 

(A moment’s pause.) 

(The Dragon, so far, has had no lines in the tra¬ 
ditional play, merely following St. George about 
with his umbrella, which he uses to shield himself 
•during the fight, weeps briny tears over the Turk 
and dances over his recovery.) 

Doctor: Here comes our Turk back to life again. 
{Turk rises, cured.) 

Dragon : 

Our guising’s done, the story’s ended; 

Our money bOx is recommended; 

Five or six shillings will do us no harm. 
Silver or copper, or gold if you can. 

And now our play is at an end. 

After hearty applause the Mummers are served 
with bumpers, and pass to the audience amongst 
whom they go with their bowl for alms. It should 
be announced beforehand publicly that this collec¬ 
tion is to be a real one, taken for the poor of the 
locality, or for such other worthy object as be de¬ 
cided upon. Mummers then take a place with the 
others on the main floor. 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 25 

(If a Morris dance be prepared, the Morris-Men 
should enter at this point and proceed with the fes¬ 
tivities.) 

After the Mummers have finished their show, 
passed their bowls, gathered the alms and taken 
their station on the floor (during which the Min¬ 
strels play incidental music), the following action 
and dialogue take place: 

If Simon be also a prestidigitator, then interpo¬ 
late as follows; 

Man-at-Arms (to the Lord of Misrule) : Simon 
has tricks, my Lord, as well as dolls. May we see 
them? 

Misrule : Simon, thou’rt not simple as thy 
looks. Can’st show us better tricks than my Jester 
here? 

Simon : A bag full of them, good my Lord, and 
good my fellows. 

(Shows tricks, at the close of which he turns tO' 
the chief of the Waits.) 

Simon : Line us a tune, David. Simon is tired. 

Waits sing “Good King Wenceslaus.” 

The Waits then strike up “Good King Wen- 
ceslaus.” 


GOOD KING WENCESLAUS* 
{Traditional) 

Good King Wenceslaus looked out 
On the Feast of Stephen, 

When the snow lay round about. 

Deep and crisp and even. 

Brightly shone the moon that night. 
Though the frost was cruel. 

When a poor man came in sight 
Gathering winter fuel. 


See appendix note on music. 



26 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


“Hither, page, and stand by me. 

If thou know’st it, telling. 

Yonder peasant, who is he 

Where and what his dwelling.” 

“Sire, he lives a good league hence. 
Underneath the mountain; 

Right against the forest fence. 

By St. Agnes’ fountain,” 

“Bring me flesh and bring me wine; 
Bring me pine-logs, hither; 

Thou and I shall see him dine. 

When we bear them thither.” 

Page and monarch, forth they went. 
Forth they went together; 

Through the rude wind’s wild lament. 
And the bitter weather. 

“Sire, the night is darker now, 

And the wind blows stronger; 

Fails my heart, I know not how, 

I can go no longer.” 

■“Mark my footsteps, my good page; 
Tread thou in them boldly; 

Thou shalt find the winter’s rage 
Freeze thy blood less coldly.” 

In His Master’s steps he trod. 

Where the snow lay dinted; 

Heat was in the very sod 

Which the Saint had printed. 

Therefore, Christian men, be sure. 
Wealth or rank possessing. 

Ye who now will bless the poor. 

Shall yourselves find blessing. 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 27 

(During this the Page Norman has been making 
himself particularly obnoxious and tormenting and 
after the carol is ended he tickles Lady Evelyn 
with his feather, whereupon De Courcey catches 
and holds him, Lady Evelyn cuffing his ears amidst 
considerable racket. The jester thereupon laughs 
uproariously, attracting the attention of the Lord 
of Misrule.) 

Lord of M. : Jester, Jester, an’ thy joke be 
seemly, tell it us that we may share it. 

Jester (cackling with mirth) : ’Tis but a quiet 
joke, M’Lord, on a noisy night. 

Lord of M. : Not so quiet but that we shall hear 
it. 

Jester (still snickering) : 

’Tis the night before Christmas, 

When all through the house (looks around). 

Not a creature is stirring (points at the active 
groups and laughs). 

Not even a mouse(still laughing). 

There’s a quiet joke for you. 

Lord of Misrule (laughing heartily) : Even a 
mouse could scarce hear himself think. 

Tenant Farmer: No more can us think for 
their squeekin’ and scratching and gnawin’ in the 
corn cribs and in the walls. My dame she cotched 
three the morn. 

(Immediately appear, one at a time, from the left 
wing, and on the dais, the three Mice, i. e., Brown 
Mouse, then the White Mouse, then the Grey 
Mouse. Each carries a large mouse made of grey 
stuff, by the tail. 

Brown Mouse (singing the traditional 
roundel) :* 


See appendix note on music. 



28 Southumberland's Yule-Tide 

Three blind Mice (waves stuffed mouse) 
Three blind Mice 
Three blind Mice 

'White Mouse: 

See how they run 
See how they run 
See how they run 

Grey Mouse : 

They all ran after the Farmer’s Wife. 

She cut off their tails with the carving knife. 

Did ever you see such a thing in your life 

All: 

As THREE BLIND MICE? 

(The first time these lines are sung singly and 
not as a round, each mouse stopping at the end of 
her three lines and stooping to lay her stuffed 
mouse on the floor. Unseen by the audience a black 
thread which has been fastened to the nose of each 
stuffed mouslet has been drawn after the singer 
and is held by an operator behind the flies. When 
the stuffed mice are placed on the floor of the dais 
it must be with their noses toward the entrance 
from which the characters came. (L) During the 
singing of the first lines the Farmer’s Wife has 
slipped onto the dais from the side opposite the one 
from which the Mouse Girls appeared. (R) She 
passes in front of them as they stoop and starts to 
go off the way they came on, but utters a piercing 
scream, instantly rushing off stage, (L) followed 
by the effigies of mice, as the strings are pulled in. 
As the stuffed mice will probably roll over while 
being drawn off, they would better be made fat and 
round to begin with and their rolling cannot be 
seen in the rapid action.) 

As the Farmer’s Wife runs off (L) the round is 
repeated, this time as a roundel, the Farmer’s Wife 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


29 


returning immediately in triumph, waving the three 
tails (or duplicates) and the carving knife. 

Brown Mouse sings: 

Three blind Mice. See how they run. They all ran after, etc. 
Three blind Mice. See how they run. She cut off their tails 
Three blind Mice. See how they run. with the carving knife. 

Did ever you see, etc. 


White Mouse sings: 

Three blind Mice. 
Three blind Mice. 
Three blind Mice. 


See how they run. 
See how they run. 
See how they run. 


Grey Mouse sings: 

Three blind Mice. 

Three blind Mice. 

Three blind Mice. 

(Finis.) 

Farmer’s Wife sings: 

They all ran after this Farmer’s Wife. 

I cut off their tails with this carving knife 
(brandishing). 

Did you ever see such a thing in your life as 

All Four: 

Three blind mice. 

(They retire to floor.) 

(Applause by Duke, Duchess, King of Misrule, 
etc.) 

Sir Henry Boldman (advancing to the front of 
the dais) : I am bidden by His Grace to say that, 
since it is his hospitable wish to spread joy and 
gladness, the Waits will sing for us such Christmas 
song as any one of you shall choose. 

Moneypenny : We’d like right weel. Sir Henry, 
to hear “Silent Night, Holy Night.”* 


See appendix note on music. 



30 Southumberland's Yule-Tide 

(Boldman nods to the Waits, who sing) : 

Silent night, holy night. 

All is calm, all is bright, 

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child. 

Holy infant, so tender and mild. 

Sleep in heavenly peace. 

Sleep in heavenly peace. 

Silent night, holy night. 

Shepherds quake at the sight. 

Glories stream from heaven afar; 

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia; 

Christ, the Saviour, is born. 

Silent night, holy night. 

Son of God, love’s pure light. 

Radiant beams from Thy holy face, 

With the dawn of redeeming grace, 

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. 

The Duke (advances, raising his hand to 
speak) : As is our yearly custom, we have bid you 
to our castle for our Christmas revels. As is our 
yearly custom, before we part we and our Duchess 
would see you face to face. It is our purpose, 
therefore, whilst the minstrelsy discourse sweet 
, music, to have a word with each one present. Bring 
up your Yeomen, Cousin Henry, and you your 
Shepherds, Alfred Crook, and all the others gather 
round that we may wish you well. 

(The dais is cleared, the Duke and Duchess and 
the others descending to the floor, where the 
various groups are brought up and their leaders 
chat a moment each with His Grace. If the light¬ 
ing arrangem^ents permit any method of light¬ 
screening the stage for the setting of the tableau, 
the curtain should not be dropped. Otherwise it 
must be lowered. 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


31 


While the Duke and Duchess and the Lord of 
Misrule are passing into the audience and receiving 
the company in groups and delivering tokens to 
each for the members of their groups, the Waits 
sing, ending with the carol. 


HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING* 

Hark the Herald Angels sing. 

Glory to the new-born King; 

Peace on earth and mercy mild, 

God and sinners reconciled. 

Joyful, all ye nations rise. 

Join the triumph of the skies; 

With th' angelic hosts proclaim 
Christ is born in Bethlehem. 

Hark the Herald Angels sing. 

Glory to the new-born King. 

(During the carol “Hark the Herald Angels 
Sing” the lights are shifted and lowered and, if 
necessary, the curtains are partly drawn aside or 
raised (if they have been lowered), disclosing the 
tableau. Joseph and Mary should be costumed 
with the strictest regard to the color and traditional 
attitudes and resemblance. Raphael furnishes 
many suitable depictions. A soft light should be 
placed in the manger, invisible directly from any 
part of the audience, showing a halo which gives a 
refulgence on the faces of Joseph and Mary as 
they bend over the Babe.) 


See appendix note on music. 



32 South uMBERLAND^’s Yule-Tide 

TABLEAU 

THE BABE IN THE 

Joseph MANGER Mary 

After holding a sufficient time, lights are shifted 
to make tableau invisible, or curtain is dropped. 
Auditorium lights are raised. 

Waits et omnes sing: 

ADESTE FIDELES 

Come hither, ye faithful, etc. 

As the verse ends, the Duke and Duchess receive 
the parting obeisance of the leaders, the musicians, 
piano, horns, and everything, strike up 

THE BRITISH GRENADIER 

or some other stirring old march, to which all pass 
out of the Great Hall, the Duke and Duchess and 
the Lord of Misrule with their trains leading. 


FINIS 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 33 

CHARACTER NOTES ON THE PEOPLE 

The Duke of Southumberland. The Duke is 
a rather quiet mannered and smiling chap—a bit 
condescending, but trying valiantly to overcome 
it. Not, however, displaying much animation. He 
chats with the castle guests and the Ladies-in-Wait- 
ing, evinces an interest in mild degree throughout, 
but shows genuine enthusiasm over the Boar’s 
Head party. 

The Duchess. She is a gay but well-poised lady 
and enters into the fun of the evening with more 
zest than the Duke. She is, withal, stately and a 
Gran’ Dame. Especially chatty with one of her 
Ladies-in-Waiting, and is mostly oblivious of the 
marked attentions of De Courcey to the Lady Eve¬ 
lyn, her daughter. Occasionally she prods the 
Duke to a greater display of animation. 

The Lady Evelyn. Accepts the devotion of De 
Courcey rather uncertainly—at times flirting openly 
with him and again repelling his advances with 
hauteur. She moves amongst the guests and does 
not hesitate to descend from the dais and mingle 
with the groups, always, however, with the air of 
condescension. This latter must not be overdone. 

Lord Harold. Makes himself generally useful 
and agreeable to the guests, flirting with the 
younger ones, but, in contrast with De Courcey, 
he spreads his attentions, going down amongst the 
farmers and dairymaids on occasion to inquire as 
to their welfare. 

John, Lord De Courcey. His only thought is 
his deep but not too well received love for the Lady 
Evelyn, of which he cares not who knows. Occa¬ 
sionally comes to a realizing sense of his obligations 


34 


South umberland's Yule-Tide 


to the Duke and Duchess, chats with them a mo¬ 
ment, but slips quickly away to his lady love. 

Norman, the Page. While Norman is a con¬ 
stant nuisance and tease, it must be remembered 
that a page is of noble birth and his jokes will be 
refined by a sense of fitness. He has little to do 
with the men’s groups, but picks out the pretty girls 
and flirts with them in a boyish manner. This 
page, it will be found, will best be impersonated by 
a slender, vivacious girl. 

The Jester. In the entry of the party of the 
Lord of Misrule, the Jester should precede his 
Lordship, backing before him and constantly bow¬ 
ing low in mock obeisance. Thereafter his con¬ 
stant business is that of cracking jokes with his 
neighbors and then falling into a sudden and deep 
gloom from which he is roused by one of the 
dromios, with whom he chums. He shows great 
interest in the wares of the Pedlar. 

The Lord of Misrule. A large man, full of 
mock dignity, but with spontaneous good' cheer. 
Fond of good living, neither intemperate nor ab- 
steminous, and by no means unaware of his con¬ 
siderable, though temporary authority. 

Boldman. Sir Henry, it must be kept in mind, 
is not merely the head of the Yeoman’s party as its 
commander, but, by right of birth, a man of blue 
blood and noble descent, and conducts himself as 
such. He moves about both on the dais and 
amongst the lesser peoples on the floor below. 

The Pedlar. After approaching the Ducal 
party upon his entrance, the Pedlar passes from 
group to group, showing his wares and oggling 
the girls, to the immense annoyance of the other 
men. This part is one of sustained importance 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


35 


and should be taken by someone capable not only 
of rendering the song acceptably, but of lively busi¬ 
ness for the whole remainder of the masque. 

Simple Simon. After his show, Simple Simon 
may carry his dolls with him and show them to the 
members of the various groups. He must not, 
however, interfere with the general continuity of 
the action. 

Yule-clog Party, Boar’s Head Party, Mum¬ 
mers, Three Mice. All of these, after finishing 
their various parts, take assigned places on the 
floor, along with the others, and are conducted as 
per directions for other groups. 

Yeomen. From amongst the Yeomen will be 
chosen those who are to bear in the Lord of Mis¬ 
rule. These will return to their places after dis¬ 
charging this duty. 

Foresters. From amongst the Foresters must 
be chosen those who are to bring in the Yule-clog. 
After placing this on the fire, these likewise return 
to their party. 

Huntsmen. From amongst these will be taken 
the huntsman who bears the knife with which he 
killed the boar, in the Boar’s Head party. He like¬ 
wise returns to his associates. 

Dairymaids. If it be not desired that the sing¬ 
ing shall be by male voices only, the group of Dairy¬ 
maids should be so selected that they be mostly, if 
not all, singers familiar with the music of the carols 
as set to their traditional tunes. The Dairymaids, 
in this event, should be assigned a position next the 
dais, opposite the Waits, with the Minstrels (harp, 
viola, violins, lute etc.) conveniently placed. 

Herald, Trumpeter. The Herald, it should be 


36 Southumberland's Yule-Tide 

kept in mind, is an officer, a man of at least gentle 
birth, if not noble. As a part of the picture, there¬ 
fore, he does not mix on terms of intimacy with 
the Yeomen or Men-at-Arms, but, like Sir Henry 
Boldman, with his equals. The Trumpeter attends 
him as an orderly, walks behind him and comes up 
on his left. 

Men-at-Arms. Except where otherwise indi¬ 
cated, the Men-at-Arms are near the doors and pass 
at large through the assembly. They chum when 
at all, with the Yeomen, the Foresters and Hunts¬ 
men, rather than with the Farmers, Dairymen, etc. 
They are the first in the Great Hall, being discov¬ 
ered there when the doors are thrown open and 
they, alone, remain until the parties have all retired 
in the final march. 

Group Movements. The Groups must not be 
allowed to remain stagnant. At the time when 
Simple Simon is showing his puppets, they crowd 
around the cabinet. Visiting from group to group 
by individuals might be permitted, but only with 
the permission and approval of the group leader, 
who must be prepared to state at what cue they, 
shall return. As the seating arrangements on the 
floor should be around the walls only, and in capac¬ 
ity to seat not more than half or a third of the 
members at a time, designated sittings should be 
occupied by various groups in turn for periods 
which will interfere neither with the continuity of 
the picture nor the action of the masque. Groups 
must vacate at a cue sufficiently in advance of the 
approach of another group, so that this shall seem 
unintentional. The presentation of the groups to 
the Ducal Party will be arranged by the Major- 
domo so as to avoid all confusion, as will the order 
of groups in the final grand march. 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 37 

NOTES ON TRADITIONAL MUSIC 

As has been noted, the traditional settings 
should be used in every case where ascertainable. 
As it is not always easy to lay hands upon these, 
the following information will be found of service r 

(1) In “A Christmas Carol Service,’’ No. 1, pub¬ 
lished by Novello & Co., will be found the ancient 
settings for all of the following carols: 

'‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” 

"The First Nowell.” 

"Good Ring Wenceslaus.” 

"Silent Night.” 

"Adeste Fideles.” 

(2) As no traditional setting to "Welcome 
Yule” can be found, a setting has been composed 
by the author of the book of the masque, in form 
befitting the other traditional carols, and may be 
had by addressing him, or by applying to French 
& Co. 

(3) The "Song.of the Pedlar” is, of course, the 
one of Autolycus in "Winter’s Tale.” A beautiful 
and suitable musical rendering easily adapted to 
one voice may be found in the Novello Part Song 
Book, as composed by C. Lee Williams. 

(4) The "Boar’s Head Song” here printed is the 
version used at Queen’s College, Oxford. The 
music has been published many times, amongst 
others by Novello. 

(5) "Three Blind Mice.” This roundel is so 
familiar that it seems hardly worth referring to it. 
Lest, however, there be some to whom it is not a 
heritage, it may be said that it will be found in 
Novello’s School Songs, Book 195, entitled "Grad- 


38 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


uated Rounds.” Of these the “Three Blind Mice” 
is No. 24. 

(6) “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Nearly 
any Children’s Hymnal. Also Novello’s Christmas 
Carol Book, No. 5. 

(7) Another good set containing several of the 
carols here referred to is The Community Book, 
Novello. 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


39 


HINTS ON COSTUMES 

The selection of the groups and their designa¬ 
tions will of necessity depend greatly upon the cos¬ 
tumes available from the nearest source, and this 
question should be considered well in advance. 
This will also govern to some extent the epoch set 
for the staging of the play. It could, however, 
be considered as taking place within the Tudor 
period from the time of Henry the Seventh to the 
end of the reign of Elizabeth, bearing in mind that 
during most of these reigns the hair was not pow¬ 
dered. The tenantry wore clothes of much the 
same cut as their lords, but simpler and of cheap 
material. Men wore trunks or loose trousers, long 
hose and plain jerkin or doublet. The time was 
one of extravagance in fashion and the additions 
one may make in the way of ribbons, bows, sewn 
pearls, cuts, slashes and puffs are almost without 
number. 

The distinguished mark of the times was the ruff, 
made of Holland lace, linen or cambric and of great 
variety, and ruffs, easily made, should be worn by 
the women of the court party. Beards and mous¬ 
taches were general at the period. The older and 
more sedate men wore long gowns with hanging 
sleeves. Shoes were shaped to the foot and made 
of various leathers or stuffs, sometimes decorated 
with rows of ribbands or buckles. Some were 
cross-gartered like Malvolio and some wore long 
boots. 

Authorities to be Consulted : Calthorp’s 
^‘English Costumes”; H. A. Dillon, “Fairholt’s Cos¬ 
tume in England”; Ashdown, “British Costume 
During the Nineteen Centuries”; George Clinch, 
“English Costume”; Chambers’ “Book of Days.” 


40 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


Plays Which Furnish Suitable Costumes : 


“As You Like 
“Winter’s Tale.” 
“Merry Wives of 
Windsor.” 
“Patience.” 
“Lohengrin.” 
“Princess Ida.” 


“Twelfth Night.” 

“All’s Well That Ends 
Well.” 

“lolanthe.” 

“Yeomen of the Guard.” 
“Robin Hood.” 

“Flying Dutchman.” 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


41 


SPECIFIC COSTUMES* 

(Pages mentioned refer to Calthorp) 

The Duke of Southumberland : Embroidered 
shirt, light-colored satin, and, though little of it 
shows, enough is visible to expose the cord fasten¬ 
ings, by which it is tied at the neck. The outer 
cloak, the jacket or tunic, nether hose and cap, all 
of rich cloth decorated or slashed with colored vel¬ 
vet. Plume to cap and lavish use of jewels. See 
Holbein’s portraits of Henry VIII and Calthorp, 
page 250. 

Duchess. Wears dress with a high collar, close- 
fitting sleeves, ruffles at wrists, frill ruff, bodice cut 
low and square. Jeweled head dress and necklace. 
Calthorp, page 314. 

Court Ladies. Same as Duchess, but less elab¬ 
orate. Consult costumer as to costumes in “Twelfth 
Night,” “All’s Well” and “As You Like It.” .Cal¬ 
thorp, pages 290, 266, 239. 

Court Gentlemen. Same as Duke, but less 
elaborate. See men’s costumes in “Twelfth Night,”" 
“All’s Well That Ends Well” and “As You Like 
It.” Calthorp, pages 257, 298, 286. 

Men-at-Arms. Costumed as in “Yeomen of the 
Guard” “All’s Well” or “As You Like It.”‘ 

Dancers of the Castle Party. Black and 
v/hite, pannier skirts and slashed sleeves. See Cal¬ 
thorp, page 424. 

Male Attendants. Regulation costume as in 
“Twelfth Night,” etc., and see Calthorp, page 252. 

*The author wishes to acknowledge the invaluable assistance 
rendered by Mr. J. B. Seymour in the preparation of this list. 



42 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


Female Attendants. Costumed as in “Twelfth 
Night.” Calthorp, page 309. 

Jester. Costume of Jester as in “All’s Well” or 
"^As You Like It.” Calthorp, page 185. See “Com¬ 
edy of Errors.” 

Herald. Regulation costume of the period as 
in Shakespeare’^ historical plays. Wears a tabard, 
narrow ruff, slashed jerkin, knee breeches tied with 
ribbons at knee, long stockings, shoes with buckles, 
sword and dagger. 

Trumpeter. Calthorp, page 112, and historical 
plays. 

Majordomo. Malvolio’s costume in “Twelfth 
Night,” “All’s Well.” Calthorp, page 301. 

Housekeeper. As a castle attendant, with bunch 
of keys. 

Page. Costumed as in historical plays. See Cal¬ 
thorp, page 162. 

Pedlar. Tatters and ribbons, as in “Winter’s 
Tale.” Gypsy costume in “Yeoman of the Guard” 
should do. 

Simple Simon. Mountebank’s costume. Cal¬ 
thorp, page 200. 

Chief Steward. Dignified and rich costume of 
the period, with heavy neck chain for keys, etc. 

Cooks. Suitable to the office. 

Candle Bearers. Short tights and slashed hose. 
Large candlesticks with processional candles. 

Dromios. Calthorp, page 110.. 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


43- 


Pages, Lesser. Pages to the Duchess, Calthorp,. 
page 198. Pages to Misrule, Calthorp, page 223. 

Farmer’s Wife. Coif, long skirts and plain 
bodice. Calthorp, page 119. 

Three Mice. A white, a grey and a brown slip 
to go over whatever costume they wear in the 
groups. 

Lord of Misrule. Wears slashed puff-sleeves^ 
jerkin, ruff, huge sash, tights, swashbuckler boots, 
cone-shaped hat with a huge feather. Whole cos¬ 
tume very elaborate and rich. Carries a fool’s 
bauble. Calthorp, page 128, would be suitable. 

Mummers. It would be suitable to dress the 
Mummers in home-made costumes, ridiculous and 
comic, since this would follow the actual custom of 
the period. 

Father Christmas. As the familiar Santa 
Claus. Bearing holly bough, wassail bowl with 
holly crown, long red cloak and shirt spotted with 
ermine and wearing long wig and great beard, 
white, of course. 

St. George. With lance and armor, astride a 
mock horse. 

Turk. Turban with crescent, simitar and flow¬ 
ing gown. 

Dragon. With dragon’s head and body, or 
dragon’s head and wrapped in green. 

Doctor. In black knee breeches and cap. Latter 
preferably Phrigian. Red mantle, black stockings 
and shoes with buckles. Carries a huge pill box. 

Necromancer. Wears a cornucopia hat and 


44 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


long black gown figured with geometrical and mys¬ 
tic devices, including the svastika and the pentacle. 

Waits. Clothed in blue outer cloaks with large 
brass buttons, carrying iron candle lanterns or 
torches. Calthorp, page 274. 

Minstrels. “Twelfth Night.” 

Yeomen. Ruffs, fairly close-fitting knee breeches, 
tightly fitted tunic, buttoned up front; stockings, 
buckled shoes, a loose, open cloak with turned-down 
collar. Tunic belted wfth a clasp. Calthorp, page 
278. 

Shepherds. “Winter’s Tale.” Short coat, loose 
short trousers, sandals. Carry crooks and wear 
round leather or cloth hats. Calthorp, page 76. 

Shepherdesses. “lolanthe” or “Winter’s Tale.” 
Fancy bodice, short pannier skirt. Carry crooks. 
Calthorpe, page 424. 

Foresters. Lincoln green. Carry bows. Cos¬ 
tumed as in “Robin Hood” or “As You Like It.” 
Calthorp, page 331. 

Huntsmen. Russet. Carry horns. Dress simi¬ 
lar in nature to Foresters. Calthorp, page 56. 

Spinners. Long skirts and carry distaffs. Reg¬ 
ulation costume in “Flying Dutchman.” Calthorp, 
page 265. 

Lace Makers. Long skirts, fancy bodices. Cal¬ 
thorp, page 8. 

Weavers. Similar to Lace Makers, but of dif¬ 
ferent colors. Calthorp, page 281. 

Needlewomen. See above. 

Dairy Maids. Costumes as in Patience would 


Southumberland's Yule-Tide 


45 


do. Like Shepherdesses in general make-np. Carry 
milk pails. 

Farmer Tenants. Smock costumes as in Cal- 
thorp, page 149. 

Farmers’ Wives. Less dressy costume than the 
Dairy Maids, but similar. Need not be uniform. 
Calthorp, page 312. 

Farmers’ Children. Modified form of cos¬ 
tumes of their parents. 

Goldsmiths. Long cloak with rich brass chain. 
Calthorp, page 216. 

Other Groups. The choice of other groups, if 
the number to participate necessitate these, would 
be largely influenced by an inventory of the cos¬ 
tume stock available. 


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